Sweden’s Caroline Seger (right) vies for the ball with Canada’s Christine Sinclair (left) during the group F women’s soccer match at St James’ Park in Newcastle, England, during the London 2012 Summer Olympics on Tuesday, July 31, 2012.SCOTT HEPPELL
/ AP

Canada’s Melissa Tancredi (14) celebrates her goal with her teammates during the group F women’s soccer match against Sweden at St James’ Park in Newcastle, England, during the London 2012 Summer Olympics on Tuesday, July 31, 2012.SCOTT HEPPELL
/ AP

Canada’s Diana Matheson (left) vies for the ball with Sweden’s Nilla Fischer during the group F women’s soccer match at St James’ Park in Newcastle, England, during the London 2012 Summer Olympics on Tuesday, July 31, 2012.SCOTT HEPPELL
/ AP

Sweden’s Sofia Jakobsson (centre) celebrates her goal with her teammates during the group F women’s soccer match against Canada at St James’ Park in Newcastle, England, during the London 2012 Summer Olympics on Tuesday, July 31, 2012.SCOTT HEPPELL
/ AP

Canada’s Desiree Scott (left) vies for the ball with Sweden’s Kosovare Asllani during the group F women’s soccer match at St James’ Park in Newcastle, England, during the London 2012 Summer Olympics on Tuesday, July 31, 2012.SCOTT HEPPELL
/ AP

Sweden’s Marie Hammarstrom (centre) celebrates her goal her teammates during the group F women’s soccer match against Canada at St James’ Park in Newcastle, England, during the London 2012 Summer Olympics on Tuesday, July 31, 2012.SCOTT HEPPELL
/ AP

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Sliding slightly behind the front-two strikers, Canadian captain Christine Sinclair — who customarily leads the line — displayed her largely unsung creative prowess Tuesday: a cute one-two with Rhian Wilkinson led to Melissa Tancredi’s first goal of the game, while she lofted a tantalizing cross to the in-form poacher in the 84th minute, allowing Tancredi to head home her fourth of the tournament.

The goal gave Canada a crucial come-from-behind, 2-2 draw with Sweden and a spot in the tournament’s quarter-finals.

“Yeah,’’ Sinclair teased afterwards, “why not?’ It was fun for me today. Playing a little more withdrawn it reminded me of the Olympic qualifiers in Vancouver. And Tanc, she’s just on fire. She’s getting any body part on crosses, so it’s awesome.’’

The tactical adjustment by boss John Herdman certainly paid dividends and the second-highest goal scorer ever among female players — who struck twice in Canada’s last match, a 3-0 win against South Africa — relished the change in influence.

“You get involved a little more [in this role],’’ Sinclair said. “You’re able to find the ball at your feet a lot more, and in space, compared to up top, where you have a lot of those 1-vs.-1 battles in the air, or the 1-vs.-1s in behind. I enjoy both.’’

The switch certainly isn’t permanent, but it is a viable option, depending upon the opponent’s tendencies and setup.

“I don’t want to reveal too much because we’ll use it against teams that play that way,’’ said Herdman. “But quite simply we were able to overload on one side of the pitch; we had to get those players who were comfortable in those tight little triangles, tight boxes, that Sweden put out. Sinclair’s one of those players. So we tried to get her into areas where she could combine, link and bring other players into the game. She’s got unbelievable technique and can handle the ball under ridiculous pressure. And she did that today.’’

When asked if there was an opponent she’d feel more comfortable facing in the quarter-finals on Friday, Sinclair smiled before answering.

“If we play the way we did tonight, anyone.’’

gjohnson@calgaryherald.com

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